Pilon Injury LawPilon Injury Law2019-08-07T00:38:22Zhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/78/2019/01/cropped-og-directory-32x32.jpgOn behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490712019-08-07T00:38:22Z2019-08-07T00:38:20Zdescribes a number of variables that can cause a person to fall. In many cases, they involve health issues that interfere with a person’s ability to walk. Balance problems, walking difficulties or weakness in the lower body can all contribute to falls. Sometimes a person may have fine strength in the feet and muscles but poor eyesight, and cannot see trip hazards until it is too late.
Fall risks can also manifest due to medication. Patients who take medicine can have problems maintaining balance or being steady on their feet, in some cases due to drowsiness produced by the medicine. Medications that cause these effects include antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers. These can include prescription medicine and also medicines sold over the counter.
The problem with fall risks is that they are especially pronounced with seniors. Many elderly persons have problems with balance, sight, are physically weak, or regularly take medication. In addition, some seniors suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or some other dementia, which impairs cognition and can prevent a person from recognizing a dangerous situation.
Nursing homes should take these factors into account to prevent residents from tripping and falling. As the CDC points out, many falls happen because risk factors combine together. So a person with unsteady balance can trip and fall because the person cannot walk around a broken step or avoid clutter on the floor. If a nursing home does not exercise proper care, there are many opportunities for seniors to experience falls.
This information is only intended for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490642019-07-19T23:50:19Z2019-07-19T23:50:17Zonly certain persons are allowed to file wrongful death suits.
If you are thinking about filing a wrongful death suit, you must be related to the deceased in one of these ways: parent, child, spouse, child born to a mother outside of wedlock, child born to a father outside of wedlock (assuming that child support has been established), adopted or dependent brothers and sisters, or another dependent blood relative.
These people are known in wrongful death suits as successors or beneficiaries. The idea behind a wrongful death suit is to remove the pain and suffering from these beneficiaries as much as possible and shift the consequences on to the negligent entities. There are many reasons why a beneficiary might file a wrongful death suit, including loss of companionship and loss of monetary support. Death is like a domino effect: it can cause several other issues for the beneficiaries to deal with, and it is only just that the entity responsible for the death take as much of this burden as possible.
While there is no true replacement for a departed loved one, filing a wrongful death suit can help bring negligent entities before the law to face justice.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490572019-07-09T07:02:56Z2019-07-09T07:02:55Zalmost 30 people die per day in drunk-driving related automobile accidents. Preventing drunk driving can go a long way toward making our roads much safer and preventing accidents.
First, if you ever see a car that you suspect is being controlled by an inebriated driver, make sure to try and get the license plate number and note any other identifying marks on the car. Then, call 911 and report the license plate number, identifying features of the car or driver, and try to give a general estimate of where you are and where you suspect the drunk driver is headed. You do want to try and get as much information as possible to help out law enforcement, but make sure that you keep yourself out of danger while doing so.
Preventing drunk driving often starts at home. Particularly if you have young drivers in your house, it is important to have a serious conversation about inebriated and otherwise distracted driving and never engage in the behavior yourself. Remember that “buzzed” driving is drunk driving and if you have had too many, call a taxi or other rideshare service.
The penalties for drunk driving in Florida are severe, even outside of the chance you might take somebody's life. Ensuring that you do everything you can to prevent drunk driving and never driving impaired yourself goes a long way toward making Florida a safer place to be.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490502019-06-22T06:20:00Z2019-06-22T06:19:59Zinjures the brain. Since the brain is essential for you to function, an injury could affect you in many ways. Because a TBI may be any injury, you may not be surprised to learn they happen at high numbers. In the U.S., there are about 2.8 million reports of TBIs each year. While many of these are mild and symptoms go away quickly, there are some instances where the effects are long-lasting.
About 5.3 million people live with a disability that is due to a TBI in the country. In the most severe cases, an injury can lead to death. Statistics say about 56,000 people die every year from a TBI. Even if you do not die, you may have to spend time in the hospital. About 282,000 people stay in the hospital each year due to a brain injury.
Brain injuries happen to anyone at any age. In fact, about one-third of those with a TBI are under the age of 14. This information is for education and is not legal advice.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490432019-06-12T00:34:20Z2019-06-12T00:34:17Zbrainline.org, you should seek medical attention immediately if you have vomiting or nausea, clear fluid coming from the ears or nose, change in or loss of consciousness, seizures or convulsions, double vision or unequal dilation of the pupils. You may also notice weakness of the legs, face or arms, loss of balance or slurred speech if you have a brain injury.
There are other symptoms of brain injuries that are common and should be monitored. Sensory problems such as a bad taste in the mouth, loss of taste or smell, ringing in ears, seeing stars or blurred vision. Any sensitivity to distractions, sounds or lights should be a concern. Those with brain injuries also deal with anxiety or depression, a lack of motivation or energy, problems with memory, mood swings or changes, headaches and loss of balance or dizziness.
If you have been in an accident, no matter how severe, and you are concerned you have a brain injury, it is important to address it early. You may want to seek medical attention no matter how minor the accident seemed.
This information is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490362019-06-11T03:46:05Z2019-06-11T03:46:03Zmost important things to do is to cover or wrap the area of injury with a clean cloth or sterile dressing. This will help keep the wound clean and stop the bleeding. After applying a wound dressing or covering, do not remove it even if blood soaks through. Instead, add an extra dressing on top of the first one.
Blood loss can be a serious complication of an accidental amputation. You can prevent this by applying direct, steady pressure to the wound. It can also help to have the individual lie down and elevate the injured area, but this is not always possible.
An individual who has an accidental amputation may go into shock. If this happens, you can treat it by trying to keep the individual calm and covering him or her with a blanket or coat. If it is safe to do so, you can have the individual lie down so that you can raise his or her feet about 12 inches. However, if you suspect an injury to the head or spine, do not attempt any repositioning.
After an accidental amputation, it is most crucial to care for the injured individual. However, it is also important to care for the amputated part. Sometimes it is possible for doctors to reattach it. You should place the part in a clean plastic bag and take it with you to the hospital packed in ice after rinsing it off first to remove dirt or debris. Avoid scrubbing the part or washing it with soap.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490292019-06-07T21:46:45Z2019-06-07T21:46:43Zserious motor vehicle accident without the proper precautions.
Whether you are a first-time Jeep owner or a veteran who needs a refresher, abide by these safety tips when the time comes to put your vehicle's prowess to the test.
Study your vehicle
The more familiar you are with your Jeep's proportions, the less likely you are to damage the vehicle or get in a crash. Examine the underside of the vehicle so you can protect low-hanging parts. Know the approach and departure angles to avoid taking on a slope your Jeep cannot handle. Before each trip, top off your fluids, check your tires and pack an emergency kit.
Go slow
Ten miles per hour should be your target speed in the woods, especially when you are facing an unfamiliar trail. While you may need to push the envelope to get over a particularly challenging hill, in general, you should travel at a crawl. Approach obstacles at an angle but take hills straight on to avoid rolling the vehicle.
Yield right of way
Many off-road trails are shared by hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Give these groups the right-of-way when approaching on a trail. Slow down and pass considerately without kicking up dust.
Stay seated
When the vehicle is moving, every occupant should be in a seat with a seatbelt. Do not operate the vehicle when a passenger is standing.
Bring a friend
When you go off-roading alone, you increase your chances of getting stuck. Plan to travel in a group or at least tell someone exactly where you are going and when you plan to return.
Follow these off-roading safety tips to avoid damaging your vehicle or getting injured. Enjoy your next adventure without mishap.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=490222019-05-30T05:07:44Z2019-05-30T05:07:42ZNursing Home Abuse Center, it is estimated that 20% of Americans will be at least 65 years of age by the year 2050, signifying a large increase in those who need live-in help or who need to be moved to a facility.
The center also states that those who are older are more likely to be abused. One in 10 older individuals and about four to 10% of older people dealt with some type of abuse within a year of being cared for by another. The staggering statistic is that only one in every 14 cases is reported to authorities, meaning there are many elderly patients who still suffer from abuse.
The main complaints about nursing homes are abuse, neglect and exploitation and the center states that almost 50 percent of those living in homes had suffered some type of abuse. Most complained they had been neglected by a caregiver, whether that be a family member, hired help or employees of a facility.
The impact of abuse is startling, as those who are abused are more likely to die by 300% than those who are not. Psychological distress and elevated stress levels are common in elderly victims of abuse. Those most at risk are those who have bone problems, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, joint problems, cardiovascular problems and digestive problems.
This information is intended for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=489102019-05-02T16:16:27Z2019-05-02T16:16:25ZRoad rage fatality in St. Petersburg
On March 27, 2019, the driver of a blue 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe encountered a road rage incident with the driver of a black BMW convertible. Although the arrest affidavit says the Hyundai driver could have left the area, he stayed and shot into the vehicle, striking both the passenger and driver. Both occupants of the BMW were severely injured; the driver later died from the shooting. He left behind his wife and five children.
Police identified the suspect from surveillance footage of the crash that showed the Hyundai driver as he fled the scene. A Florida Highway Patrol officer cited the same driver the prior week for careless motorcycle driving that caused a crash with injuries to people in another vehicle. The year before, a Pinellas deputy cited the suspect for excessive speeding, cutting in front of traffic and noncooperation with law enforcement.
Thanks to the surveillance video and prior arrest records, officers were able to track the suspect and capture him. They arrested the man on charges of attempted murder and first-degree murder.
Precautions when road rage occurs
Any driver who notices another vehicle moving erratically should note the tag number and the vehicle's color, make and model. An observer can also help by reporting any unusual identifying features such as a missing bumper. If possible, the observer should try to notice the driver's appearance and direction of travel. If a vehicle operator appears to be angry, tailgates others, weaves in and out of traffic or shows a weapon, the observer should leave the area as soon as safely possible, pull over to the side of the road and notify police.
A victim of a road rage incident may want to file a police report after making sure to call for medical emergency treatment. It is important that the victim of a road rage incident asks for and retains copies of any police reports, medical records such as ambulance, hospital and doctor records, insurance claims filed for damage to the person's vehicle and personal property, as well as an employer-signed record of time lost from work. It is also important to document and photograph property damage to the victim's motor vehicle.
The most important thing a victim of road rage can do is to involve law enforcement and refrain from any retaliatory action or gesture that may further enrage the person. Police are better equipped to handle an aggressive, dangerous driver.]]>On behalf of Pilon Injury Lawhttps://www.piloninjurylaw.com/?p=489032019-05-02T16:14:27Z2019-05-02T16:14:26Zloss of movement, pain or an intense stinging sensation, loss of or altered sensation, difficulty breathing or coughing, and spasms or exaggerated reflex activities. Additionally, spinal cord injuries may cause partial or total paralysis.
As a direct result of their spinal cord injuries or secondary to the effects of their injuries, people may experience a number of complications. Bladder and bowel control are often impaired as a result of damage to the spinal cord, which may contribute to an increased risk for kidney infections, kidney or bladder stones, and urinary tract infections. In addition to chronic muscle, joint or nerve pain, a loss of skin sensations may put people at an increased risk for developing pressure sores or suffering heat or cold-related injuries. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, spinal cord injuries may also make people more susceptible to developing respiratory and heart problems. For example, people may have an increased risk of pneumonia, orthostatic hypotension or autonomic hyperreflexia due to the effects of their injuries on their circulatory or respiratory systems.
In addition to emergent care to stabilize them following their injuries, as well as ongoing treatment of the associated complications, people who have suffered spinal cord injuries may require rehabilitation. This includes physical therapy, skill-building activities and counseling. Additionally, electrical stimulation treatments may be used to help restore some functions.]]>